EHCP Help / Advice & next steps
How to request an EHC needs assessment
If you think your child may need more support than is currently available through ordinary SEN support, you can ask the local authority to consider carrying out an EHC needs assessment.
Quick answer
You can ask your local authority to carry out an EHC needs assessment; you do not have to wait for school to make the request. State clearly what you are requesting, explain why your child may need support through an EHCP, include the evidence you already have and keep proof of the date sent.
What this means
An EHC needs assessment is the formal information-gathering stage used before a local authority decides whether an Education, Health and Care Plan is necessary. The request should explain the child or young person’s needs, the support already tried and why current arrangements may not be enough.
Useful evidence can include SEN support plans, reviews, attendance or exclusion information, examples of progress or continuing difficulty, professional reports and the views of the child and family. You can still make a request if some evidence is missing; identify what exists and what you think still needs to be understood.
Use the correct local-authority process for the child’s home address and ask for acknowledgement. Continue working with school on support while the request is considered. GOV.UK, the SEND Code of Practice, SENDIASS and IPSEA provide authoritative or specialist guidance; Northamptonshire has separate West and North council routes.
What to do next
Write to the local authority or use its online request process.
Say clearly that you are requesting an EHC needs assessment.
Explain why you think your child may need one.
Include evidence if you have it.
Keep a copy of everything you send.
Note the date the request was submitted.
Check your indicative EHCP dates with our free EHCP Timeline Calculator.
Things to check
School SEN support records and individual support plans
Emails and communication with school
Reports from teachers, the SENCO or other professionals
Relevant speech and language, occupational therapy, autism or ADHD reports
Attendance, behaviour or exclusion information where relevant
Examples of unmet need at home or school
Notes from meetings
Questions to ask
What support is currently in place?
What has already been tried?
What is not working?
Does the school have records of progress, concerns or interventions?
Will the school support an EHC needs assessment request?
Can I have copies of relevant records?
Local Northamptonshire route
Families in Northamptonshire need to check the correct route for their home address. West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council use separate local authority processes. Their SEND pages, Local Offer and SENDIASS services can help you find the right starting point.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Many families make an EHC needs assessment request themselves. You do not have to use a professional to start. Some parents choose extra help when evidence is complicated, school support is unclear or they feel unsure. You can read free guidance first, speak to SENDIASS, or contact a provider if you want additional support.
What happens next?
After the request is made, the local authority considers whether to carry out an assessment. Keep copies of what you sent, note the date and continue asking school what support will remain in place while you wait. Check your indicative EHCP dates with our free EHCP Timeline Calculator at /ehcp-timeline-calculator.
Support that may help
School SENCO · SENDIASS · SEND advocate · Independent SEND adviser · Educational psychologist · Speech and language therapist, where relevant · Occupational therapist, where relevant
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.